A biocontrol story: How weevils won the battle for our beloved Schmeekle Reserve's Lake Joanis

Biological control of Eurasian watermilfoil is possible with the use of native milfoil weevils where the lake offers the right habitat.  Lake Joanis, in the center of the much beloved Schmeekle reserve (Stevens Point), was plagued by thick milfoil dominating the lake.  The community was strongly opposed to using chemicals, and the lake appeared to have the perfect habitat for milfoil weevils.  Through a graduate study, 23,000 weevils were released into this little 24-acre lake.... with no success.  Why??  A chance finding discovered the probable cause and led to the discovery of an elegantly simple solution.  And the weevils took off!  The aquatic plant community came into balance and milfoil became simply a part of the lake ecosystem.